News
Judge Slams Bash Ali for Wasting Court’s Time, Dismisses ₦500bn Extortion Suit Against Sunday Dare
By Joel Ajayi
An Abuja High Court has struck out a ₦500 billion suit filed by former world boxing champion Bash Ali against former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, and the Federal Government, over his proposed Guinness World Record boxing bout.
The judgment, delivered on Thursday at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, by Honourable Justice U.P. Kekemeke, ruled that the case was frivolous, statute-barred, and amounted to a waste of judicial time. The court found no legal basis for Bash Ali’s claims, describing the action as an abuse of court process and driven by malice.
Justice Kekemeke upheld a preliminary objection filed by the legal team of the former Minister, led by Bode Olanipekun and Festus Keyamo Chambers, and subsequently dismissed the case in its entirety.
The court noted that Bash Ali and his legal team failed to submit critical documents on time, particularly those required to establish the Federal Government’s official involvement in the much-publicized fight.
Justice Kekemeke emphasized that the delay and procedural lapses in the filing process weakened the credibility of the case. Consequently, the court had no option but to dismiss the suit.
A Pattern of Unfounded Allegations: For over five years, Bash Ali had repeatedly accused Sunday Dare and other former sports ministers of sabotaging his Guinness World Record fight ambitions. He alleged extortion, official sabotage, and conspiracy involving $12 million and ₦13 million—claims the court found to be unsubstantiated.
Key facts revealed during the proceedings include: On the $12 million allegation: Mr. Dare was never involved in any meeting or transaction related to the purported sum. He was not in office at the time the alleged event took place and treated no related file during his tenure.
On the ₦13 million “extortion” claim: Court documents revealed that Bash Ali had previously won a ₦28 million judgment against former Minister Solomon Dalung for battery (Suit No. CA/A/893/2017).
Upon assuming office, Mr. Dare reviewed the file and oversaw an out-of-court settlement where all parties agreed to a ₦15 million payment—signed and executed on May 20, 2020, with receipts provided. Bash Ali’s claim of ₦13 million being extorted is, in fact, the difference between the original award and the negotiated settlement.
On halting the Guinness Fight: The Ministry, upon reviewing past records and guided by the stance of previous administrations—including a caution from former President Muhammadu Buhari—chose not to endorse or sponsor the bout. A letter dated January 7, 2020, titled “Re: Bash Ali’s Guinness World Boxing Project” and signed by the Director of Legal Services, Mr. Mohammed, clearly warned Ali against spreading misinformation about government involvement.
A Long History of Accusations: This is not the first time Bash Ali has turned to the courts against top sports officials. He has made similar allegations against at least five former Ministers of Sports over nearly two decades, none of which have led to the realization of his Guinness Record bout.
Despite persistent efforts to push the project across five different presidential administrations, his proposal has never received full official endorsement, casting doubts on its legitimacy.
The judgment marks a significant blow to Bash Ali’s long-running campaign and reaffirms the position of the Federal Government and former Minister Sunday Dare, who had consistently maintained that there was no official agreement to sponsor or organize the fight.
With this ruling, the court has not only struck out the case but also effectively brought an end to what it described as a baseless and vindictive legal battle.
Foreign news
Algeria’s Glorious Revolution: Embassy Marks 72nd Anniversary in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
The Embassy of Algeria in Nigeria has commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the country’s Glorious Revolution of November 1, 1954, with a reception in Abuja, highlighting Algeria’s liberation struggle and strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria.
The event, held on November 9, 2026, at Continental Suites Hotel, attracted prominent personalities, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, members of the Federal Government, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions and other friends of Algeria.
Speaking at the reception, Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, welcomed guests and paid tribute to the country’s freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence.
He described the November 1, 1954 revolution as the foundation of modern Algeria, noting that the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs made it possible for the country to reclaim its sovereignty.
On Algeria’s development agenda, Mezoued said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration had continued to pursue economic reforms, diversification and national development under its New Algeria vision.
He noted that the country was recording progress in non-hydrocarbon exports, while improvements in the business environment had boosted investor confidence and attracted significant foreign investments.
On foreign policy, the ambassador reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to non-interference, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution and the right of peoples to self-determination.
Addressing security challenges in the Sahel, he stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through military measures alone, insisting that economic development, inclusive dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes remained essential.
Turning to Nigeria-Algeria relations, Mezoued described the partnership as one founded on shared values and the commitment of both countries’ leaders to advancing African development.
He identified the Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone as major strategic projects receiving attention from both countries.
The ambassador also disclosed that Algeria had continued to provide scholarships to Nigerian students to strengthen human capital development and capacity building.
He further announced that Air Algérie expanded its Nigerian operations on October 26, 2026, with the introduction of two weekly flights to Lagos, expressing confidence that the service would boost trade and tourism.
Looking ahead, Mezoued said 2027 would offer fresh opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly through the fifth Joint High Bi-National Commission scheduled to hold in Abuja.
He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity to assess existing partnerships, identify new areas of cooperation and move Nigeria-Algeria relations towards a more practical and results-driven phase.
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